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Moku o Hawaii: Moku o Hawaii makes Hilo debut

One minute the public-address announcer was admiring the view as the sun shined on the Hamakua Coast.

The next minute paddlers, coaches and officials were running for cover as the wind whipped up and rain fell.

The Moku O Hawaii Outrigger Canoe Racing Association regatta season made its debut at Hilo Bay, but the change in scenery did little to alter the landscape at the top.

Seven-time champion Kai Opua was the top point-getter in A Division for the fourth straight regatta, outdistancing Keauhou and Puna.

Far down on the south end of the beach, Paddlers of Laka celebrated victories in boys 14 and women’s novice B.

“We’ve been killing it in B Division,” club president Doug Bumatay said. “This year, we have about the same amount (of paddlers) as last year, but this year we have more that are actively coming out to practice.

“One of the reasons we’re stronger in the youth crews is they’re more consistent in coming to practice.”

A prime example is his boys 14 canoe — Kawai Anderson, Makoa Andres, Anthony Benevides Jr., Solan Martinez-Oda, Thomas Pakani and Isaac Santos — which won for the third time in four tries.

Bumatay credited the crew for not only showing up, but also working hard and recruiting depth. “We know how the race is going to feel and what it’s going to be like,” said Santos, a steersman. “Mainly because we all push together.”

As far as the push to the state regatta is concerned, each regatta is cumulative and carries equal weight, including the island championships.

However, this year Moku O Hawaii will only have two lanes at states. “Since we don’t have third place going into states, we just have to try all the harder for first or second,” Santos said.